For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
