Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
