For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
