Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
