Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
