Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
