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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins using a memorable initial scene where a calm family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family prior to the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir actually allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out between the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled the audience to relate with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a genuine shock once events eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before making an abrupt turn toward shocking ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough time to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to contain an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable choices (like any any good zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! trope often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem authentic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves an engaging and entertaining