Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
