For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from 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. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "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 values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
