Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage 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 Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
