Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
