Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out quite entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.
Realistic Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "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 apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
