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Typically, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early seasons of The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted at this point. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly disrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to observe this household prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters before the chaos ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable dynamic. This has predictably led to a rift among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured yet a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have recently been unfaithful to her. This household patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I became so invested with this family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might sound like a negative, yet in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member represents, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This focus on clashing personalities enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style which frequently introduces characters just to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a real shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to settle into the setting prior to everything gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie also offers a fairly interesting reason for the source of the contagious transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion which seems to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever heavy object is available rather than freezing like prey caught in lights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus on family conflict when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a pleasantly authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" cliché often seen in end-of-world films. Obviously, Nes loves her family and values her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—feel realistic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. But they're successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality sufficient space to develop and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable