For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
