For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
