For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself 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 negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
