🔗 Share this article

Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable