Key Highlights
- The Elixir offers a fresh take on the zombie genre with its unique approach to character development and family dynamics.
- The film’s excellent pacing and practical effects create an engaging viewing experience, despite some contextual gaps in the origin of the zombification virus.
- Characters are well-developed and relatable, making their interactions during a zombie outbreak both realistic and emotionally impactful.
- The Elixir successfully subverts common tropes found in apocalyptic films to offer a more grounded and human-centric narrative.
New Netflix Zombie Flick Offers Fresh Perspective with Family Drama
For the most part, I am quite over zombie movies. The genre has seen its fair share of classics like 28 Days Later and early seasons of The Walking Dead, but it often feels a bit played out in recent years (even highly acclaimed films such as 28 Years Later have been gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months). However, Netflix’s new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, has managed to subvert these expectations and offer an enjoyable viewing experience.
Excellence in Pacing and Character Development
The film begins with a striking opening sequence that sets the tone for what follows: a peaceful family party disrupted by the arrival of a van containing a very undead-looking stranger who attacks the guests. This is immediately followed by a flashback, giving us insight into the family’s history before tragedy struck in the form of a zombie delivery van. Unlike many other zombie movies, The Elixir takes its time to introduce and develop its main characters, allowing viewers to connect with them on a deeper level.
Characters like Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend Karina is now married to her father (an awkward situation), Bang the socially awkward brother who enjoys playing video games with Nes’ young son Raihan, Rudi the husband who appears to have recently cheated on her, and Nes’ father who runs a herbal remedy business called Wani Waras all contribute to the overall dysfunction of the family. This focus on clashing personalities allows for genuine character development and emotional investment from the audience.
Unique Explanation and Effective Scaring
The Elixir provides an interesting explanation for the source of the contagious zombification virus, which is not an accidental lab leak or bioweapon but rather a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes’ father. While this backstory adds depth to the world-building, it could have benefited from more exploration into how such trusted holistic medicine turned deadly.
The practical effects and CGI in The Elixir are quite convincing, especially when combined with the characters’ resourcefulness in dealing with the zombie threat. Characters like Nes show resourcefulness and quick thinking, engaging in physical combat against zombies rather than simply freezing up. This blend of horror elements and realistic character responses makes for an engaging and enjoyable entry in the zombie genre.
Realistic Subversion and Emotional Resonance
The film’s handling of familial discord during a zombie outbreak is particularly noteworthy. Nes, despite her love for her family and husband Rudi, still harbors resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. This realistic portrayal of complex human emotions adds depth to the characters and makes their interactions more believable.
While The Elixir doesn’t offer any profound messages about family or society, it does provide effective scares and a genuinely engaging narrative.
It stands out from many other zombie films by giving its characters enough room to grow and not punishing them for having flaws. This results in an entertaining entry that will appeal to those looking for a fresh take on the genre.
The Elixir is now streaming on Netflix, providing viewers with a unique and well-executed zombie film experience.
