Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
