For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them 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 when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord 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 all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
