For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
