Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
