Typically, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
