Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
