Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. 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 gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
