Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
