Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
