Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and they're practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable
