For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth
Among the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a van plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently 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 zombies to devour, so it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to immerse in its world before it gets upended.
Unique Zombification Origin
The film also offers a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Stereotypical Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable
