For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
