Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
