Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It begins using a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent 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 a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining