For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are 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 whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
