For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
