Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
