For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
