Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
