Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
