Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
