For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
