Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally 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 nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
