Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
