For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for 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 two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate 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 rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
