Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
