Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
