For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
