For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
