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 were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in 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 time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
