Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "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. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push 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 Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
