Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "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 films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
