For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Southeast Asian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments 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 upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable