For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
