Typically, I'm over undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
Among this movie's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Drama
I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Resourceful Characters
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes 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 I immediately pardon you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and because the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining
