Typically, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment 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 gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
