For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives 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 heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
