🔗 Share this article

Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself 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 seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable