Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
