Generally speaking, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Development
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family prior to the disaster occurred.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime to showing us who each relative is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.
Unique Infection Source
The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding 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 potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Personalities
Even better than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion 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 apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is an engaging and entertaining
