Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been 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 Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
