Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
