For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin 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 recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
