Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been 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 turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining