Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent 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 meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
