Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
