Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 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 and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's 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 Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep 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 grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
