For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
