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Typically, I've grown tired of zombie movies. While favorites such as 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre seems mostly depleted at this point. Yet the much-awaited 28 Years Later has been sitting on my to-watch queue for some time. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite enjoyable.

Superb Pacing and Character Growth

One of this movie's strongest strengths lies in the excellent rhythm. It kicks off using a memorable opening sequence in which a calm family party gets suddenly disrupted by a vehicle plows right into the seating section. Out of the van, an extremely undead-looking individual emerges and begins attacking the attendees. This dramatic scene is immediately followed by a look back, giving viewers to observe the family before the disaster struck.

Unlike numerous undead movies, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to get to know its main personalities prior to the carnage begins. There's Nes, a married mother whose former best friend, Karina, is now wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable situation. This has predictably caused a falling out among the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is good-natured but socially awkward, and who enjoys playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately been unfaithful to Nes. The family head is Nes' father, the owner of a well-known herbal remedy business called Wani Waras, and he appears focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's former best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion proves extremely tense.

Engaged in the Conflict

I became so engrossed with this family's dynamics along with their interpersonal drama that I almost forgot I was watching a scary movie—something that could seem like a negative, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir dedicates a significant amount of the film depicting us the identity of every family member represents, and how they add to the general turmoil. This focus on conflicting traits enabled me to relate to the personalities sufficiently to be concerned for their fate—an uncommon feat for this style that often presents individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir avoids portraying its characters as two-dimensional, disposable victims for a horde of the undead to devour, thus it's a genuine shock when things finally deteriorate.

Evocative of Parasite

The opening sequences from the gathering and various family interactions actually bring to mind the movie Parasite, a story that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid comedy before taking an abrupt turn into shocking ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient opportunity to settle into the setting before it gets upended.

Original Zombification Source

This movie additionally presents a quite interesting explanation for the source of the spreading transformation. Rather than an accidental laboratory incident or a type of biological weapon, the cause of this contagious disease stems from a new batch of Wani Waras herbal remedies created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, I wish the film devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a trusted purveyor of natural treatments to creating a deadly elixir that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Regardless of the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans is absolutely disgusting, and I appreciate. The Elixir's undead prove fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a daring decision, yet it works. The Elixir's physical effects and CGI are also quite realistic, and they're practically guaranteed to provoke a fear of holes.

Capable Personalities

Even better compared to the disgusting scenes is the cast themselves. Certainly, there are a few examples of questionable choices (like any typical zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her relatives are inventive and sharp. Additionally, they don't hesitate to strike an undead in the head, stab it using a farm tool, or hit it on the skull with whatever blunt instrument is available instead of freezing like prey in headlights while danger approaches.

Realistic Family Strike

The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people begin transforming to the undead, which was a welcome realistic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly forgive you for everything! cliché frequently used in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes cares for her relatives and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she remains clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. Once the household becomes split up, they decide over the phone to regroup at a nearby spot. But when Bang admits he is unaware the way to the location, Nes expresses a massive level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't perfect, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem realistic and understandable because the film doesn't try to push the idea that nearly dying instantly cures family tensions. This makes those instances when these characters express gratitude for each other feel far more sincere.

Stereotypical Conclusion

In spite of The Elixir's strong efforts to innovate, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up any deep message regarding relatives or society, either. Rather, it's primarily serving up frights. But they're effective scares, and because the movie allows every personality sufficient space to grow and doesn't punish them for their imperfections, the result proves a captivating and entertaining