Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage 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 personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
