For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 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.
Excellent Pacing and Character Development
One of this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to immerse in the setting prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining
