For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
