For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
