Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents 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 consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try 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 far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
