Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
