Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
