Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
