Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
