Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style which frequently presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
