For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces characters just 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 initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in the setting before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
