Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
