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For the most part, I'm over apocalyptic horror. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems largely exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out remarkably entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Development

Among this movie's greatest assets is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a peaceful family party gets suddenly interrupted when a vehicle plows right into the guest area. Out of the van, a very zombie-like stranger emerges proceeding attacking the partygoers. This intense moment is then followed by a flashback, giving viewers to see this household before the tragedy occurred.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience enough time to become acquainted with its main characters before the carnage ensues. There's Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, is now married to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. Naturally, this has predictably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted but a bit inept socially, and he enjoys playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently cheated on her. The family head is her dad, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears to care about only two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I found myself so engrossed with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I nearly forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant portion of its runtime depicting viewers who each relative represents, and how they add to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to connect to the personalities enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock when things eventually go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges in fact evoke the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a K-Drama with slightly dark humor before making a sudden shift toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives enough opportunity to settle into the setting before everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a fairly intriguing reason for the source of the contagious zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a new batch of Wani Waras natural medicines created by Nes' father. While we do learn something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal elixir which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of background, the effect this condition produces on people is utterly disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold choice, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics are also quite convincing, and are almost certain to trigger one's trypophobia.

Capable Characters

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious decision-making (as in typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with the nearest heavy object is available instead of freezing like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and cares about her spouse, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree over the phone to regroup at a close spot. However, once Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem authentic and relatable because the film avoids attempting to promote the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments where these individuals do show gratitude for each other seem far more genuine.

Stereotypical Conclusion

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really presenting any deep insight about family or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering frights. Yet these are effective frights, and because the film gives each character sufficient space to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result proves an engaging and enjoyable