Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
