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Typically, I've had my fill of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.

Superb Rhythm and Personal Growth

Among the film's strongest strengths lies in the superb rhythm. It begins with a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a van crashes right into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family before the tragedy occurred.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former best friend, Karina, is now married to Nes' father—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among the two women. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured yet socially awkward, and he loves gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family head is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two aspects: his business and his wife to Nes' former best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this household's issues along with their interpersonal drama that I almost overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of the film to showing us who each family member is, and how they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities enough to care about their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir doesn't treat its characters as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to devour, so it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in its world prior to everything gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film additionally presents a quite interesting reason regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease originates in a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the film devoted additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Despite the limited context, the effect this condition has on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, constantly grinning. This represents a daring choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the gross-out scenes are the characters themselves. Certainly, there are some instances of dubious decision-making (like any typical undead film), but for the most part, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, stab it with a pitchfork, or hit it on the skull with the nearest heavy object they find instead of standing still like prey caught in lights as death nears.

Believable Familial Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus on family conflict once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes cares for her family and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she remains clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family becomes split up, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby location. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration toward Bang that's clearly been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her family—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the idea that a near-death experience instantly cures familial strife. This makes the moments where these individuals express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.

Stereotypical Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's mostly delivering scares. Yet these are effective frights, and since the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the outcome is an engaging and entertaining