The streaming giant's Surprising Latest Undead Flick Breathes New Life into a Stale Genre

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, this category feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest assets is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These early scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Characters

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining