For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord 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 I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
