For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a van crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely strained.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction produces on people proves utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Realistic Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Ending
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 message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and entertaining
