Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
