Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of 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, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration 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 since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
