Typically, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic 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. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
