Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
