For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
