For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
