For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
