Typically, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Origin
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves utterly disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable
