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 were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them 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 shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
