Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
