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For the most part, I've grown tired of zombie movies. Although favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, this category feels largely depleted at this point. Even the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for some time. However, Netflix's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Character Development

One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent rhythm. It begins using a memorable initial scene in which a peaceful family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. From the wreckage, an extremely undead-looking stranger emerges and begins assaulting the attendees. This dramatic moment is then succeeded by a flashback, allowing us to see the family before the tragedy struck.

In contrast to numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually gives the audience sufficient opportunity to get to know the primary personalities before the chaos ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a former close friend, Karina, has become wed to Nes' father—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and who loves playing video games alongside his nephew, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, seems to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, who runs a well-known natural medicine business named Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this gathering is extremely strained.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so invested with this household's issues and their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot this was a scary movie—which might seem like a drawback, yet ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a considerable portion of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every family member is, and how they contribute to the general dysfunction. This emphasis on conflicting traits allowed me to relate with the characters enough to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a real surprise when things finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes from the gathering and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid humor prior to making an abrupt shift into shocking territory. These introductory moments don't focus as much on comedy as Parasite, yet The Elixir still gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets turned upside down.

Unique Infection Source

The film additionally presents a quite intriguing explanation regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental lab leak or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease stems from a recent sample of Wani Waras herbal remedies developed by Nes' father. While we do learn a bit about its origins, it would have been better if the film had spent additional time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to producing a lethal potion which seems to contain an extremely infectious pathogen. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this affliction has on people proves absolutely repulsive, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This represents a bold choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI are also very realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to trigger a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

More impressive compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Of course, there are a few examples of questionable choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves inventive and sharp. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument they find rather than freezing like prey in headlights as death approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't abandon its themes of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a pleasantly authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for all your mistakes!" trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also apparent she's still clinging to bitterness over his betrayal in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they agree over the phone to meet up at a nearby location. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses an immense level of irritation toward Bang that's clearly been building for years. Nes isn't flawless, and her relatives—with all their imperfections—seem realistic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes the moments when these characters express gratitude toward one another feel much more genuine.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message about family or community, as well. Instead, it's mostly serving up scares. Yet these are effective scares, and since the film gives each character sufficient space to develop and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and entertaining