For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
