Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
