For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
