Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out 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 alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—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 those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
