For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting 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 just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion 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 end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
