For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
