Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
