Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
