For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
