Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
