Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
