Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing us who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used 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 resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
