Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
