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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Development

One of the film's strongest strengths is its superb rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene in which a calm family gathering is violently interrupted when a van crashes into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy struck.

Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and he loves gaming alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly strained.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly forgot this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting personalities enabled me to connect to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact evoke the film Parasite, a story which disguises itself like a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor before making an abrupt turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source of this contagious disease originates in a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir that appears to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are fast, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see a few instances of questionable choices (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly realistic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! trope frequently used in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to 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 admits he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This causes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation for each other seem much more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and enjoyable