For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. 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 the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
