Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
