Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming 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 pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
