For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good 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, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome 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. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
