For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion 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 end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
