Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style 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 the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
