Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. 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 go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
