Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, 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
