Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone 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 brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
