Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
