For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
