Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of 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 had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
