Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
