Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
