Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
