For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
