Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
