Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
