For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
