For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet 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.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
