Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite 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 society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
