For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business named 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 is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
