Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another 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 stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
