🔗 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 gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Character Development

One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining