Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was 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!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
