For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
