For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 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 sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
