Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
