For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. 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 whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent 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 close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
