Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
