For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
