Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. 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, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
