Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
