For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
