Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains 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 nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
