For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, 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 in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
