Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains 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 enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, 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 nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source 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, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
