Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
