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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Character Growth

Among the film's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party is violently disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a horror film—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting us the identity of every relative is, and how they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into shocking territory. These early moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), however for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're successful frights, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining