For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
