Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
