Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
Among the film's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Drama
I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film depicting us who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
