Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience 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 break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
