For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor before taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
