Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
