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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 seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Excellent Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This dramatic scene is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe the family before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, who runs a popular natural medicine business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his business and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering proves extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt shift into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments aren't centered as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a quite interesting explanation regarding the origin of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although some background is provided a bit about how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics also appear very realistic, and they're almost guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better than the disgusting scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show gratitude toward one another seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie gives each character enough room to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome is a captivating and entertaining