Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
