Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable