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For the most part, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre feels largely exhausted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's greatest assets lies in the excellent rhythm. It begins with a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted when a van plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster struck.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough time to get to know its main characters before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has understandably led to a rift among the two women. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, the owner of a popular natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two aspects: his work and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I almost forgot I was watching a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—an uncommon accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and various household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift toward shocking ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Origin

This movie additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of bioweapon, the source of this infectious condition originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about its origins, I wish the film devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition has on people proves utterly disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also very convincing, and are practically certain to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few instances of dubious choices (as in typical undead film), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals start turning into zombies, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she remains holding onto resentment over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close location. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and relatable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals express appreciation for each other feel much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and entertaining