Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about 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 purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
