Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
