Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
