Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household 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 unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
