Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
