Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust 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 enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
