Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
