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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. 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 highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Character Growth

One of this movie's greatest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to observe this household prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers enough time to get to know the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who enjoys gaming with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could sound like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre which frequently presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of zombies to devour, so it's a real surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited context, the effect this affliction has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a bold decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and are almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find instead of standing still like prey in headlights as death nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to meet up at a close location. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals express appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're successful scares, and since the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable