For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
