For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
