For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
