Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal 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 an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
