Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact 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, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "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. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
