🔗 Share this article

Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Growth

Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining