For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
