Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, 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 all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
