For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between 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 lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—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 represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
