Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
