For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
