🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Development

One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining