Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals 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 perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
