Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to 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 alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Conflict
I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
