For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
