For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation 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 movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
