For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems 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 latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
