Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
