Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
