Typically, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Superb Rhythm and Character Development
One of the film's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
