Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
