🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable