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For the most part, I've grown tired of apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Character Growth

Among this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed in the household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us who each family member represents, plus the ways they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a welcome authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation for each other seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable