Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
