Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly 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 makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
