Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
