Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre 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 subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering 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 result is an engaging and entertaining
