Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
