Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome 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 often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains 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. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
