For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and entertaining
