For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves 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 rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
