For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
