For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other 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 somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
