Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called 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 gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
