Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, 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 primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
