For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.
Impressive Rhythm and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual stumbles out and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is immediately followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The opening scenes of the party and various household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.
Original Zombification Source
This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition stems from a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.
Capable Characters
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of questionable choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.
Realistic Family Strike
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from that "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 family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable 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 for each other seem much more genuine.
Predictable Ending
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining
