Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering 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 overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
