Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about 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 agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
