For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
