For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
