For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable
