Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "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 apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
