For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
