Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
