Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 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 remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
