Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
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 for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
