For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
