For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
