For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Development
Among the film's greatest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins using a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy occurred.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main personalities before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on just two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I became so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Original Infection Origin
The film also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of background, the effect this condition has on humans is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Resourceful Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.
Predictable Ending
In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable
