Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them 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 finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
