Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
