Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord 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 forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
