🔗 Share this article

Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.

Original Infection Source

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation 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 end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining