For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
