Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
