Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness 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 is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
