Netflix's Unexpected New Zombie Film Injects New Life into a Stale Genre

For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. While classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for months. But, Netflix's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among the film's greatest assets is its superb rhythm. It kicks off with a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, so it's a real surprise once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient time to settle into its world prior to it gets upended.

Original Zombification Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and sharp. 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 instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express appreciation toward one another feel much more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable