For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was 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 movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
