Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
