Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
