Typically, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
