Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, 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
