Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
