For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, 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 often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
