Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
