For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting 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 sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
