Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation 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 apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
