Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
