Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly 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.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed 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 time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone 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 on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
