For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
