For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness 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 the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
