Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth
Among this movie's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable