Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
