Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon 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 you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
