Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also 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 they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
