For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable