Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie also offers a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
