Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion 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 often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
