Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. 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 the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message about family or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
