Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
