For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
