Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married 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, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
