🔗 Share this article

For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining