Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise 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 film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
