Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
