Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family 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 level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
