For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. 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 film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
