For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
