Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—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 yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
