Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
