Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
