For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
