🔗 Share this article

Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Development

One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Origin

The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining