Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even 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, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
