Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also 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 heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
