Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
