Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
