Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed 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 focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
