For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining
