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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted by a van crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably caused a rift between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might sound like a drawback, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock once events finally deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring slightly dark comedy before making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough time to settle into its world before it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on people is utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express appreciation toward one another feel far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable