For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. 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 the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
