Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
