For the most part, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
