For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. 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 my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
