For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games 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 business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
