For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet 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 and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
