Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly 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 latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
