Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable