For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once 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 over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
