Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
