Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen 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 bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
