Typically, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
