Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters 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 show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved 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!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
