Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon 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 since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
