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Generally speaking, I've grown tired of undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were gripping, this category seems mostly depleted nowadays. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been sitting in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in subvert what I anticipated turning out quite enjoyable.

Impressive Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's greatest strengths is its superb pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly interrupted by a vehicle crashes right into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely zombie-like individual emerges and begins assaulting the partygoers. This intense moment is immediately succeeded by a flashback, giving viewers to see the family prior to the disaster occurred.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives viewers enough opportunity to become acquainted with its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. We meet Nes, a married mother with a ex close friend, Karina, is now wed to Nes' father—an obviously awkward situation. This has understandably led to a falling out among Nes and Karina. We also see Nes' brother, Bang, who is good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to her. The family patriarch is Nes' father, who runs a popular herbal remedy company called Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to Nes' former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly tense.

Invested in the Drama

I became so invested in the family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could sound like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing viewers who each family member is, plus the ways they contribute to the overall dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their outcome—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently presents characters just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, expendable casualties for a horde of zombies to devour, thus it's a real shock once events eventually go wrong.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a Korean drama with slightly dark humor prior to making a sudden shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory scenes don't focus too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to immerse in the setting before it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly intriguing explanation for the source of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of biological weapon, the cause for this contagious disease stems from a new sample from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by Nes' father. While some background is provided something regarding its origins, I wish the film had spent a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable supplier of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to contain a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the effect this condition produces on people is absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove quick, freaky-looking, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold decision, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Of course, we see a few instances of questionable decision-making (like any any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives are resourceful and quick-thinking. They also aren't afraid to kick an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with the nearest blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey caught in lights while danger nears.

Believable Familial Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in end-of-world movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby spot. But when Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive amount of frustration toward Bang which has obviously been brewing for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—feel authentic and understandable because the film avoids attempting to push the notion that nearly dying immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another seem much more sincere.

Predictable Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending is admittedly a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up some profound message regarding relatives or society, either. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and since the film allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining