Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
