Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was 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 cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express 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 a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
