For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection 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 source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household 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 expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
