For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
