Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, 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!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
