Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he 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 incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
