Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 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 subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
