Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and 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 worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
