Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
