Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 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.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "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 apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
