Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from 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 had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
