For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
