Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
