Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus 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 film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing 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, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
