For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable
