For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
