For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
