Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
