Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
