Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
