Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable