For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
