For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
