For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
