Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
