For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
