Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category 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 my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
