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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows viewers enough time to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy 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. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides enough opportunity to settle into its world prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Characters

Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious choices (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, 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 how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining