For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
