Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, 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 Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
