Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
