Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved 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 movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
