Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
