For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
