Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
