Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters 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 are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending 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 successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
