Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
