For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. 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 the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
