For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
