For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
