Typically, 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 exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines 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 holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly 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, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
