Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
