Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
