Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
