For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome 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 films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express 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 somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
