Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation 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 apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
