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For the most part, I've had my fill of zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead proved enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's strongest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become married to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head consists of Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked I was watching 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 the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits allowed me to connect with the characters sufficiently to care about their fate—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These early scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the impact this condition has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than standing still like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope often seen in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film doesn't try to promote the idea that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments when these characters express appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.

Predictable Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the movie gives each character sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome proves an engaging and enjoyable