For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion 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 end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
