Generally speaking, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust 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.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film to showing viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
