For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
