Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
