Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
