For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
