Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
