For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle 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, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead 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 a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
