Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
