🔗 Share this article

Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people 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 I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining