For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved 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!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining