For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
