For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic 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 apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
