For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
