For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself 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 sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" 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 remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
