The streaming giant's Unexpected New Undead Film Breathes Fresh Air into a Tired Category

Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household head consists of her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious decision-making (as in any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer in headlights as death approaches.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message about family or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable