For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
