For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
