Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage 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 led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
