Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
