Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was 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 us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
