Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses 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 relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
