For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
