Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
