Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
