For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from 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 movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
