Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
