Generally speaking, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
