🔗 Share this article

Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

One of the film's strongest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a striking opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to become acquainted with the primary personalities before the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I almost overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking a sudden shift into "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film also offers a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people proves utterly repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message about family or community, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable