Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
