For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic 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 often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
