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Typically, I've grown tired of undead films. While favorites such as 28 Days Later along with the initial seasons of The Walking Dead were gripping, the genre seems largely depleted nowadays. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, the platform's latest Indonesian horror film, The Elixir, managed to defy my expectations turning out quite entertaining.

Excellent Pacing and Personal Growth

Among this movie's greatest strengths lies in the excellent pacing. It kicks off with a memorable initial scene where a calm family gathering gets suddenly disrupted by a van plows right into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very zombie-like individual stumbles out proceeding assaulting the attendees. This intense moment is then succeeded by a look back, allowing us to observe this household before the tragedy struck.

Unlike numerous zombie films, The Elixir truly allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters prior to the chaos begins. There's Nes, a wife and mother whose former close friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably led to a rift between Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games alongside Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have recently cheated on Nes. The family head consists of her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and he appears to care about only two things: his work and his wife to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves incredibly strained.

Engaged in the Drama

I became so invested in the household's issues along with their personal conflicts that I nearly overlooked I was watching a scary movie—which might seem like a negative, but ultimately paid off. The Elixir spends a significant portion of the film depicting viewers the identity of every relative represents, plus the ways they contribute to the overall turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities enabled me to connect with the characters enough to care about their fate—a rare feat for this style that often presents characters only to kill them off shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as flat, expendable casualties for a horde of the undead to consume, thus it's a real shock once events finally go wrong.

Evocative of Parasite

The initial scenes of the party and the multiple household exchanges actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself as a Korean drama with slightly dark comedy prior to taking a sudden turn toward "holy shit" ground. These introductory scenes aren't centered as much on comedy compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives enough opportunity to immerse in its world prior to it gets upended.

Unique Zombification Source

This movie also offers a quite intriguing reason for the source of the spreading transformation. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or a type of bioweapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch from Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. While some background is provided something regarding how it started, I wish the film had spent a little more time explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted supplier of natural treatments to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious pathogen. Regardless of the lack of context, the impact this condition has on humans proves absolutely repulsive, and I love it. The Elixir's undead are quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a bold choice, yet it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite convincing, and are almost guaranteed to provoke one's trypophobia.

Resourceful Personalities

Even better compared to the gross-out moments is the cast themselves. Of course, there are some instances of questionable choices (as in typical zombie movie), however generally, Nes and her family are resourceful and sharp. They also aren't afraid to strike a zombie in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or beat it over the head with whatever heavy object is available instead of freezing like a deer caught in lights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Discord

The Elixir doesn't drop its focus of familial discord when people start turning to the undead, this proved a welcome authentic subversion from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died I immediately pardon you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic films. It's clear, Nes loves her relatives and cares about her husband, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. When the family becomes split up, they decide via telephone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes a massive level of irritation toward Bang which has obviously been building over time. Nes is not perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to push the notion that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters do show appreciation toward one another seem far more sincere.

Predictable Ending

Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be a bit stereotypical. The Elixir doesn't truly offering up any deep message regarding relatives or community, either. Rather, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the film allows every personality enough room to grow and doesn't punish them for having flaws, the outcome proves a captivating and enjoyable