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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking stranger stumbles out and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch consists of her dad, the owner of a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet in the end worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable portion of the film depicting viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting personalities enabled me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to taking an abrupt shift into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on comedy compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a new sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about how it started, I wish the movie devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Despite the limited background, the effect this condition produces on humans proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are some examples of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel much more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result proves a captivating and entertaining