Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Yet 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, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab 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 while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about 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 agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
