Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
