Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
