Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems 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 latest Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
