For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
