For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead 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 also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
