Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives 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 on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
