Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
