For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion 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.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
