For the most part, 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, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
