For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
