Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
