Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
