Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
