For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. 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 building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
