Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of the film's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
