For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike 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 a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously 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 notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
