For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
