Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
