Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "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 movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
