For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
