Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but 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 than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation 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 apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
