For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
