Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
