Typically, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
