For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
