Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
