Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn into shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
