Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and 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 considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
