Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.
Superb Pacing and Character Growth
Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.
In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime to showing us who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise once events eventually deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to making a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to it gets turned upside down.
Unique Zombification Source
This movie additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
Even better than the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people 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 all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable
