Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
