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Typically, I'm over zombie movies. Although classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, this category seems mostly exhausted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later remains gathering dust on my to-watch queue for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to defy what I anticipated and proved remarkably entertaining.

Superb Pacing and Personal Growth

One of the film's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable opening sequence where a peaceful family gathering is violently disrupted by a vehicle plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic scene is immediately succeeded by a look back, giving viewers to see the family before the disaster occurred.

In contrast to many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience enough time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the chaos begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. Then there's her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but a bit inept socially, and who enjoys gaming alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, seems to have recently been unfaithful to Nes. This household head consists of Nes' father, who runs a well-known natural medicine company named Wani Waras, and who seems focused on just two aspects: his business and his marriage to Nes' ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering proves extremely tense.

Invested in the Conflict

I found myself so engrossed with this family's dynamics and their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime to showing us the identity of every family member represents, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing traits enabled me to relate with the characters enough to care about their outcome—a rare accomplishment for this style that often introduces individuals only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events eventually deteriorate.

Reminiscent of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making a sudden turn toward shocking ground. These early moments don't focus too heavily on comedy as Parasite, but The Elixir nonetheless provides sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.

Original Infection Origin

The film additionally presents a fairly interesting explanation regarding the origin of the contagious transformation. Rather than a unintended lab leak or a type of bioweapon, the source for this infectious condition stems from a new sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the film devoted additional focus on how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited context, the effect this condition produces on people proves absolutely disgusting, and I love it. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, yet it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very convincing, and they're almost certain to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Characters

Even better compared to the gross-out scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of dubious decision-making (as in typical zombie movie), but generally, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it with a pitchfork, or hit it over the head with whatever blunt instrument is available rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its themes on family conflict when people start turning to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately forgive you for all your mistakes!" cliché frequently used in end-of-world movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto bitterness regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they agree via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang reveals he is unaware how to get there, Nes expresses an immense amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and understandable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes the moments when these characters do show appreciation for each other feel far more genuine.

Stereotypical Ending

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly somewhat stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound insight regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's mostly serving up scares. But they're successful scares, and since the film allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is an engaging and enjoyable