For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals 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 so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
