Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
