For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie 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 in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
