Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable