Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. 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 having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
