For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Origin
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.
Realistic Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight about family or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and entertaining
