Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
