Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
