For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
