Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
