Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
