Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
