For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
