Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
