For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
