Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies 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 went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "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 films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
