Typically, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
