Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
