For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic 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 regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
