For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely 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, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business 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 strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
