For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
