For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
