Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although 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 much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
One of the film's greatest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
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 seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, 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 realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people 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 so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
