Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead 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 a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves 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 spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing 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 idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
