Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
