Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately 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 remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
