Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
