Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
