Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
