Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development
Among the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
