Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
