Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel 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 do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
