Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical 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, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
