Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
