Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. 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 frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
