Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains 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 reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining
