Typically, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet 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 defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
