Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are 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 blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
