For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
