Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem 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 add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
