For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
