Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
