Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
