Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
