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 were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "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 cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
