For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers 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 of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, 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. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
