For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction has on people is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better than the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
