Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. 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, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
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 sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
