For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just 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 genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
