Netflix's Surprising Latest Undead Flick Injects Fresh Air into a Overused Genre

Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Development

Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably caused a falling out between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading 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 created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable