Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
