Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about 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 creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
