For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness 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 an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
