Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
