Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion 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 end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical 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 some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
