Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
