Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
