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For the most part, I'm over undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Rhythm and Personal Development

Among this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off using a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering is violently disrupted when a van crashes into the guest area. Out of the van, an extremely zombie-like stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to many undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough opportunity to become acquainted with the primary personalities prior to the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a married mother whose ex close friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—a clearly uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has understandably caused a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted but socially awkward, and who loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on Nes. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and who seems to care about only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I found myself so invested with this family's dynamics along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, but in the end worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of the film to showing viewers who each family member is, and how they contribute to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat in a genre that often presents characters only to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a genuine surprise when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades like a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid humor before taking a sudden turn into "holy shit" ground. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Original Zombification Source

The film also offers a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of an accidental laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this infectious condition originates in a new sample from Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. While some background is provided a bit about its origins, I wish the movie had spent additional focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious virus. Regardless of the lack of context, the effect this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This is a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some examples of dubious choices (like any any good undead film), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and sharp. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or beat it on the skull with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for everything! cliché often seen in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes loves her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally clear she remains holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to meet up at a close location. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves familial strife. This makes the moments when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's mostly delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable