Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
