🔗 Share this article

Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable