Generally speaking, 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 seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical 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 some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
