Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
