Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very 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, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives 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 becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
