Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
