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Generally speaking, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Development

Among the film's greatest assets is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe the family before the tragedy struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. This has understandably caused a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, the owner of a popular herbal remedy business named Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each relative represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting personalities allowed the audience to relate to the personalities enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment in a genre that often introduces characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to devour, so it's a genuine surprise when things eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a story that masquerades as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn toward shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, but The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film also offers a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the source of this infectious condition stems from a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly repulsive, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in any good zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to kick a zombie in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes on family conflict when people begin transforming into zombies, which was a welcome realistic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household becomes split up, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound message about family or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable