For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
