Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, 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 agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
