Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are 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 are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
