For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
