The streaming giant's Startling New Zombie Movie Injects Fresh Air into a Tired Category

For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden shift toward shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the lack of context, the impact this condition has on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some examples of questionable decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable