Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
