Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. This household head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective 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
