For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable 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 some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
