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Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world before everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of dubious choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family 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 amount of frustration on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable