Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
