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Generally speaking, I've had my fill of undead films. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely exhausted at this point. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert my expectations and proved remarkably entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Character Growth

One of the film's strongest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking initial scene in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted when a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows viewers sufficient time to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos begins. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between the two women. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, described as kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and who loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. The family head is her dad, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and he seems to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so engrossed in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of its runtime depicting us who each family member is, plus the ways they add to the general dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits allowed the audience to connect with the characters sufficiently to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre that often presents individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as flat, disposable victims for an army of zombies to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

This movie also offers a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a lethal elixir which seems to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the lack of context, the effect this affliction has on people proves absolutely disgusting, which I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Personalities

More impressive than the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (as in typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights as death approaches.

Realistic Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide via telephone to meet up at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he doesn't know the way to the location, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the ending is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound insight regarding relatives or community, as well. Rather, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are successful frights, and because the movie allows every personality enough room to develop and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable