Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
