Netflix's Surprising New Undead Flick Injects New Life into a Stale Style

Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Development

Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a striking initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted by a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient opportunity to get to know its main personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment for this style that often presents individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

The film also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans is absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), but generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances when these characters do show gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and entertaining