Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Southeast Asian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
