Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
