For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
