Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
