Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from 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 transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
