Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just 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 shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict 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 all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
