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For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Rhythm and Character Development

One of this movie's greatest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence where a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a vehicle crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy occurred.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately been unfaithful to her. This household head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on only two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself 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 seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant portion of the film to showing us the identity of every family member is, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy before taking an abrupt turn into shocking territory. These early scenes aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still gives sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional time on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited context, the impact this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a nearby location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show appreciation for each other feel much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're effective frights, and since the film gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and enjoyable