Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains 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 close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
