Generally speaking, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted by a vehicle crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household before the tragedy struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world before it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation 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 movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining
