For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
