Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style 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 consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
