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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert my expectations and proved quite enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Growth

Among the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This intense moment is immediately followed by a look back, allowing us to see the family before the disaster struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough opportunity to get to know the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has predictably led to a falling out among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who loves gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. This household patriarch 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 wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their personal conflicts that I almost overlooked this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets upended.

Unique Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the contagious zombification. Rather than an accidental lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on humans proves absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, we see a few examples of questionable decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable