For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet 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, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular 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 gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
