Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. 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 the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
