Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
