For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, 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 apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
