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Typically, I'm over apocalyptic horror. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels largely exhausted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's greatest assets lies in the superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle crashes into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense scene is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household prior to the disaster struck.

Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient opportunity to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a married mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift between the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, described as good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about just two aspects: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a considerable amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member is, plus the ways they add to the overall turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits allowed me to connect to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—a rare feat in a genre that often introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of zombies to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually evoke the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades like a K-Drama with slightly dark comedy before taking a sudden turn toward shocking territory. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into its world before everything gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this infectious condition originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. Although some background is provided a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus on how Wani Waras went from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a lethal elixir which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the impact this affliction produces on humans is utterly repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and computer graphics are also very realistic, and are practically certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable decision-making (as in typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick a zombie in the face, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger approaches.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, which was a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains holding onto bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances where these individuals express gratitude toward one another feel far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable