For the most part, I've had my fill of apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party is violently disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.
Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat for this style which frequently introduces characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to making an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from 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 film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this condition has on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of standing still like a deer in headlights as death nears.
Believable Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
