For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
