Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
