Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
