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For the most part, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations and proved remarkably enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb pacing. It begins using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family gathering gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges proceeding assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, allowing us to see this household before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main characters prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—a clearly awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out between Nes and Karina. Then there's Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he enjoys gaming with his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. This household patriarch consists of Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about just two things: his work and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues along with their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a horror film—something that could seem like a drawback, but in the end paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film depicting us who each relative is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled the audience to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces characters just to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, so it's a genuine shock when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring slightly dark humor prior to taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides enough time to settle into the setting prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Original Infection Origin

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Rather than a unintended lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the cause for this contagious disease originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. Although we do learn a bit about how it started, I wish the film devoted additional time on how Wani Waras went from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to contain a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this affliction produces on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and are practically guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any typical undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find instead of freezing like prey in headlights as death nears.

Believable Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord once individuals begin transforming into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to resentment over his betrayal of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, 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 amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem much more genuine.

Predictable Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting any deep insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the outcome is a captivating and enjoyable