Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
