For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
