Generally speaking, 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 remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
