For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
