For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop 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 so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive 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 understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
