Generally speaking, 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. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
