For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them 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 surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable