For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! 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 bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
