Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
