Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 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
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet 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 general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
