For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust 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 enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly 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 frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
