🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable