Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
