Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
