Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
