Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
