For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
