Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth
One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the tragedy struck.
Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly strained.
Invested in the Drama
I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to connect with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.
Unique Infection Origin
This movie also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Personalities
More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.
Believable Familial Strike
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more sincere.
Predictable Conclusion
In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
